Arrangement for repacking valve stems under pressure



g- 3 A. s. VOLPIN 2,647,721

ARRANGEMENT FOR REPACKING VALVE STEMS UNDER PRESSURE Original Filed Oct. 6. 1947 A.S.Vo1.pin

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Patented Aug. 4, 1953 i ARRANGEMENT FOR REPACKING VALVE STEMS UNDER PRESSURE Alexander S. Volpin, Houston, Tex.

Original application 778,147. 1949, Serial N0. 95,565

October 6, 1947, Serial No. Divided and this application May 26,

14 Claims. (01. 251-103) This invention relates to valves and more particularly to valves with provision for replacement of the stem packing while the valve is under pressure. While the attached drawings show the invention embodied in a plug type valve provided with automatic lubrication features it is equally applicable to a Wide valves.

This application is a division of my prior copending application, Serial No. 778,147, filed October. 6, 1947; for Automatic Lubricated Sleeve Plug Valve.

It is an object of the invention to provide a gland type packing for valve stems in combination with cooperating metal sealing faces on the stem and valve body where the faces may move into sealing position to'permit replacement of the gland packing under. pressure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a replaceable gland packing assembly for rotatable valve stems wherein a seal is provided upon axial movement of the valve stem during the replacing operation while the valve member holds the line pressure from passing through the valve.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dual packing assembly for rotatable valve stems wherein a metal to metal seal is created due to the pressure on the valve when a fusible member permits axial movement of the valve stem.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a valve having a separable stem for movement of the valve member.

Other and further objects of the invention Will be readily apparent when the fOHOWiIlg description is considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. l is a vertical sectional view of a plug valve embodying the invention and illustrating the plug in closed and sealed position. I

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the stem packing assembly including a fusible member topermit the formation of a seal about the stein-in event the valve is subjected to extreme heat. 6

Fig. 3 is a section similar to Fig. 2, illustrating the arrangement after the valve has been subjected to heat. i

In Fig. 1 the valve body 2 has a flow passage 3 extending therethrough to receive the ends of the pipe line in which the valve is to be incorporated.

This flow passage 3 is intercepted by a vertical chamber 5 which is shown as being of uniform diameter where it intersects the flow passage 3. Below the flow passage the body is tapered at 1 to provide an open base.

Th upp o in er nd 18 of the closure I I variety of other types of serves to form the base of the chamber 5 against which the plug member 20 may abut.

The plug member 20 is shown in Fig. 1 as being made up of a hollow cylinder, and havin the opening 2| therein to be aligned with the flow passage 3. In order to actuate or rotate the plug member 25, a cross-head' l5 is provided, as best seen in Fig. 1. This cross-head is arranged with recessed ends 46 which fit about the upstanding lugs 47 arranged substantially on a diameter of the plug. This cross-head is, of course, axially movable with respect to the plug due to the provision of the space 48, best seen in Fig. 1, at the top of the chamber 5, so that there will be limited axial movement of the plug and the cross-head 45. i

' The cross-head 45 has the valve stem 50 formed therewith and this stem extends through the upper reduced end 5i of the body. The opening 52 is arranged to receive the gland packing 53 as seen in Fig. 1 and this packing is retained in position'by a junk ring 54, the bushing 55, and the gland 56, which gland is screwed into the upper end of the body 5|. 7 This gland also abuts against the anti-friction bearings 51 which are disposed against the bearing ring 58. The bushing 55 retains the packing in position while the bearings 51 reduce the torque required to turn the valve. A stop and indicator arm 59 may be carried by the stem.

One of the particular features of this valve stem packing assembly resides in the arrangement of a beveled seat 60 in the body where the chamber 5 merges with the neck or packing opening 52. The stem '50 is of the non-rising type but has a complementary beveled face 6! which is seen in Fig. 1 as being spaced from the seat 60 and retained in such spaced relation by the gland 56 and the bearings 5'! due to the bearin ring 58 abutting against a shoulder 63.

In event that the bearings 51 or the packing 53 require replacement, it seems obvious that by a slight unscrewing of the gland 56, that the pressure within the valve will tend to lift the crosshead 45 and the stem 50 a limited distance. This axial movement of the stem causes the face 6| to move into engagement with the face 68 so as to form a metal to metal seal to prevent any leakage of the pressure from the pipe line or the valve chamber. When this seal is thus formed with the cooperating faces, the gland 55 may then be removed and the bearings or the packing, or both, replaced at willwhile the valve is under pressure.

In orderto provide for sealing material for mined temperature.

the gland packing 53 an additiona1 fitting is shown in the upper left hand portion of Fig. 1. This additional fitting permits introduction of sealing material into the packing area 52 and this'sealing material will move upward due to line pressure and thus augments the sealing of the gland packing. When it is desired to remove the gland packing, pressure through the fitting it! may be used to expel the packing.

Figs. 2 and 3 show a modified arrangement of the stem packing wherein the passage in the neck 8! of the valve body has the sealin face 82 at its lower end where it merges with the valve chamber. The stem 50 is substantially the same as described in connection with Fig. 1 except that it may have an annular wiping ring 83 and the anti-friction bearings 85 may be arranged in the bearing race 88 about the stem 50.

This bearing race 86 will be held in position by a fusible ring which is arranged to melt or become softened so that it may fiow under pressure at a predeter- This fusible ring 81 abuts the gland 38 which is similar to the gland 56. This gland in turn carries ressure type seal rings 89 and 90 to seal the gland with the body and the stem respectively. A conventional packing BI is retained by the adjustable nut 92 threaded into the gland 88.

The stem 59 on. The cooperating faces 82 and 53 are seen "as the faces '56 and 6! of Fig. 1.

If for some reason it is desired to replace the bearings 86, the fusible ring 81, the packing rings it is only neces '89 and 8B, or the packing 9i, sary to unscrew the gland B3 sufficie'ntly to allow the valve stem to move upwardly until the faces 82 and 93 engage each other. A metal to metal seal is then formed and any desired replacement may be made.

Fig. 3 shows a fusible ring 81 as having been melted sumciently to allow axial movement of the stem and the forming of the seal with the faces 32 and 93.

The fusible metal is shown 'at 95 as having moved down in around the bearing in permitting the axial movement.

The invention contemplates a high pressure valve which enhances the safety of the valve because the stem packing and the stem thrust parts may be replaced whilethe valve is under pressure to avoid shut down of the line in which the valve is embodied: In event of fire, a safe stem seal is automatically formed by melting of the fusible ring, as seen in permits the automatic formation of a metal to metal seal.

Broadly the invention contemplates a valve having a replaceable valve stem sealing assembly so that the stem may be repacked under pres sure while the valve stem is sealed to the body; and a fusible member arranged in the valve stem packing assembly so as to permit the creation 'of a metal to metal seal when the valve is subjected to excessive heat.

What is claimed is: I

1. A plug valve including, a body, a fiow passage therethrough, a ported plug in said body to open and close said passage, means to feed seal-- ing material to the downstream face of said plug, an operable stem separ-ably engaging said plug, an anti-friction bearing positioned between said stem and said body so as to support the axial thrust. on said stem, a packing about said stein, and eooper'ating sealing faces on said stem and 81 of any suitable material,

has the cooperating face 93 there f Figs. 2 and '3. 1

body which are normally spaced apart by said bearing, and means to release said bearing to permit axial movement of said stem to create such seal while the plug is maintained in sealed engagement with said body, said means comprising a spacing member disposed between said packing and said bearing, said member being composed of material which is fusible at temperatures sufiicient to impair said packing.

2. A valve including a body having a fiow passage therethrough, a rotatable ported valve therein, a stem to rotate said valve, a slidable connection for said stem to said valve, a packing about said stem intermediate said stem and said body, means to resist the thrust on said stem including an anti-friction bearing disposed in said body surrounding said stem, cooperating metal faces on said stem and body retained in spaced relation by said means but released to move into engagement to seal said body about said stem due to the internal valve pressure upon release of said means so as to replace said packmg, and a ring member surrounding said stem and interposed between said packing and said bearing, said ring member being composed of material which is fusible at temperatures suflicient to impair said packing.

3. A valve including a body having a flow passage therethrough and a valve member operable to open and close said passage, a valve stem extending into said body and engaging said valve member, cooperating sealing faces on said stem and body normally held in spaced relation, a packing for said stem, a member of low fusing point held in thrust by said stem whereby an elevation of temperature about said valve sumcient to impair the sealing of said packing will cause fusion of said member and allow pressure on said valve to move said stem outward to establish a seal between said faces thereby automatically shutting off line pressure against said packing. 7

4; A valve including a body having a flow passage the'rethrou'gh, a valve member therein, a stem separably engaged to move said valve memher "and extending through a bore in said body, cooperating sealing faces on said stem and body, hold down means to normally hold said faces in spaced relation, an annular chamber between said stem and bore to receive a packing and a stem thrust member, said hold down means adapted to close said bore and being releasably carried by said body to maintain said faces in spaced relation, said hold down means being releasable to allow the stem to move axially of said body and independently of said valve member to -effect a seal about said faces so that the thrust member and packing may subsequently be entirely removed while said valve is subject to line pressure, and a spacer member interposed between said packing and said hold down means, said spacing member being composed of material fusible at temperatures sufiicient to impair said packing.

-5--. A plug valve including, a body, a flow passage therethrough, a plug in said body to close said passage, means to feed sealing material to tlTedo'wnstream face of said plug, an operable stem separably engaging said plug, an anti-friction bearing to support the axial thrust on said stein, a packing about said, stem, cooperating sealing faces on said stem and body, means to normally hold said faces spaced apart, said means being movable to release said bearing to permit axial movement of said stem to create such seal while the plug is maintained in sealed engagement with said body.

6. A valve including a body, a rotatable valve therein, a stem to rotate said valve, a slidable connection for said stem to said valve, a packing about said stem, means to resist the thrust on said stem including an anti-friction bearing, cooperating metal faces on said stem and body retained in spaced relation by said means: but adapted to move into engagement to seal said body about said stem upon release of said means so as to replace said packing.

7. A valve including a body, a rotatable valve therein, a stem to rotate said valve, means to resist the thrust on said stem including an antifriction bearing, cooperating metal faces on said stem and body retained in spaced relation by said means but adapted tomove into engagement to seal said body about said stem upon release of said means so as to seal said valve for replacement of said packing, said means also including a fusible ring to permit sliding of said stem and sealing of said faces in event of fusion thereof.

8. A plug valve, including a body, a valve plug therein, a stem to engage and turn said plug, interengaging slidable means on said stem and plug, a packing to seal between said stem and body, and means to form a seal between said stem and body to permit replacement of said packing while the valve is closed and under line pressure, including a pair of cooperating faces to move into sealing engagement upon longitudinal movement of said stem relative to said packing.

9. A valve having a body, a valve stem extending into said body, cooperating sealing faces on said stem and body normally held in spaced relation, a packing for said stem, a member of low fusing point held in thrust by said stem whereby an elevation of temperature about said valve sufiicient to impair the sealing of said packing will cause fusion of said member and allow pressure on said valve to move said stem outward to establish a seal between said faces thereby automatically shutting 01f line pressure against said packing.

10. A valve including a body, a valve member therein, a stem separably engaged to move said valve member and extending through a bore in said body, cooperating sealing faces on said stem and body and normally held in spaced relation, an annular chamber about said stem, a packing therein to seal about said stem and body, a stem thrust member, releasable hold-down means car- 'ried by said body and receiving the combined thrust of said packing and stem, the arrangement being such that a partial release'of the hold-down means allows the said cooperating sealing faces to establish a seal upon an outward movement of said stem, said hold-down means being completely removable from said body to permit replacing of said packing while the valve is under pressure.

11. A valve including a body, a valve member therein, a stem separably engaged to move said valve member and extending through a bore in said body, cooperating sealing faces on said stem and body normally held in spaced relation, an annulus between said stem and bore to receive a packing and a stem thrust member, a releasable thrust hold-down member adapted to close said bore and carried by said body to maintain said faces in spaced relation, said hold-down being releasable to allow the stem to move axially of said body and independently of said valve to effeet a seal about said faces so that the thrust member and packing may subsequently be entirely removed under pressure from said valve for replacement.

12. A plug valve including, a body, a flow passage there'through, a plug in said body to close said passage, an operable stem separably engaging said plug, an anti-friction bearing to support the axial thrust on said stem, a packing about said stem, cooperating sealing faces on said stem and body which are normally spaced apart, and means to release said bearing to permit axial movement of said stem to create such seal while the plug is maintained in sealed engagement with said body.

13. A plug valve including, sage therethrough, a plug in said passage, an operable stem slidably engaging said plug, an anti-friction bearing to support the axial thrust on said stem, a packing about said stem, cooperating sealing faces on said stem and body which are normally spaced apart, and means to release said bearing to permit axial movement of said stem to create such seal while the plug is maintained under pressure in sealed engagement with said body so that said packing may be replaced.

14. A lubricated plug valve including a body, a flow passage therethrough, a plug in said body to close said passage, means to feed sealing material to the downstream face of said plug, an operable stem slidably engaging said plug, an anti-friction bearing to support the axial thrust on said stem, a packing about said stem, cooperating sealing faces on said stem and body which are spaced apart, and means including said bearing to hold said faces in such spaced apart position, said means being releasable to release said bearing to permit axial movement of said stem to create such seal while the plug is maintained under pressure in sealed engagement with said body so that said packing may be replaced.

ALEXANDER S. VOLP'IN.

a body,a flow passaid body to close References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 20,643 Goldsmith Feb. 1, 1938 21,237 Winslow Aug. 17, 1858 1,913,894 Nordstrom June 13, 1933 1,966,807 Sweet July 17, 1934 2,421,879 Hamer June 10, 1947 

